Electric switch



June 12, 1928. 1,673,436

E. R. BARANY ELECTRIQ SWITCH Filed June 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l I} Z5 Z0 5 76 j r k a I. WWII 76 June 12, 1928. 1,673,436

E. R. BARANY ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed me 18, .1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 .7 Z i 9 Z Patented dune l2, i923 N l T 5E STATES EDMUND R. BARANY, F BRUQKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FRENCH BATTERY 001?.- IPANY, 0F MADISON, 'WISfiONSlIK', A. COEFGRATION 0F WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed iunc 18, 1926. Serial No. 116,773.

This invention relates to electric switches and is herein shown embodied in a flashlight of the so-called focusing or spot light type.

The invention embodies certain improvements in the structure shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 77,487, filed December 2%, 1925, and also includes novel means for removably locking the switch unit within a flashlight casing insuch a way as to permit relative axial adjustment between the flashlight reflector and the flashlight lamp.

The nature, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which-- Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a flashlight casing with which is associated one form of switch unit embodying the invention, the switch unit being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmental longitudinal sectional View of a flashlight in which the switch is shown in open-circuit position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the switch in closed-circuit posi= tion.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the position that the switch unit assumes as it is introduced into or removed from the flashlight casing.

Figure 5 is an end view of the flashlight casing and switch unit as seen from above in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional View of the switch unit removed from the flashlight casing, the section being taken on line 66 of Fig ure 4. M

Figure 7 is a plan view of the switch unit shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a modified form of the switch unit in which the switch-operating'member is only pivotally connected to its support.

Referring to the drawings, the casing 5 of the flashlight, herein shown as of the focusing type, with which the switch unit embodying the invention is adapted to be used, is formed with a groove 6 with which cer tain locking elements of the unit, hereinafter more particularly described are adapted to'cooperate for locking the unit within the casing 53. In the type of flashlight herein shown, the reflector assembly, comprising the usual lens 8, hood 9, lens ring 10 and threaded end 7 thereof. The switch member includes an operating member 17 formed with a notch 18, and carrying a pair or" yieldahle contacts 19 and 20 electrically connected together by means of a strap 22 riveted or otherwise secured to the operating member 17. The contacts 19 and 20 are substantially ll-shaped, the free end of the latter being movably retained within the notch 18. The inner end of the operating member 17 is beveled and is adapted to cooperate with a spring arm 23, herein shown as formed integral with a retaining element 25 carried by a suitable support 26 and adapted to enter the groove 6. The support 26 is in the form of a yoke, the depending legs 27 of which are substantially V-shaped and are provided with. outwardly turned feet 28 to which a disc 29 of insulating material is suitably connected, the disc 29 being provided with a contact element 30 adapted to engage the carbon electrode 31 of a flashlight battery B, having its zinc electrode 32 connected, to the casing 5 through the usual compression spring 33 and screw-threaded end cap 34.

To the upper end of the support 26 is suitably connected a lamp socket 36 adapted for the reception of the flashlight lamp 12, the outer terminal 37 of the lamp being thus electrically connected with the socket 36 and the central terminal 38 of the lamp being so exposed as to cooperate directly with the contact 20 when the operating member 17 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 5 in which the circuit is closed through the battcry B and lamp 12. Upon the support 26 is rot tably mounted a locking element 4:0, the outer end of which is adapted to enter the groove 6 at a point diametrically opposite the locking element 25, to. initially retain the switch unit properly positioned 60 I thrust thus exerted by the spring 23 tends to within the casing 5. While the switch unit is being introduced into the casing 5, the locking element 40 is positioned as shown in Figure 4, and the unit assumes the inclined position, also shown in Figure 4, thereby allowing the operating member 17 to enter the opening 16 so as to permitthe unit to be manipulated into its operative position in the casing, after which the locking element 40 is rotated about the socket 36 until its outer end engages the groove 6 in the casing at a point diametrically opposite the point at fiintimate engagement with the locking element 40, the support 26 is provided with an upturned stop or lug 43 with which the lockposition,

ing element 40 is adapted to engage.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the upper end of the' slot in the casing 5 is engaged by the protruding end of the switch member when the latter is in open-circuit position, therebypreventing accidental movement of the switch member to closed-circuit positiori. As shown in Figures 1 and2, the spring 23 tends to retain the switch member in its protruding and in order to close the circuit through the battery B and lamp 12, move ment in two general'directions of the switch member is required, one movement being slidable' and the other pivotal, In order to provide for such movement, the switch member is both pivotally and slidably connected to the support 26, by reason of the fact that it is mounted on a rivet 45, secured to the legs 27 of the support and passing through an elongated opening 46 formed in the operating member. 17. The spring 23 tends not' only to maintain the switch member projected, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it also exerts upon the end of the switch member athru'st, oif-center with respect to the bearing 45 in the direction of arrow G in Fig. 1, and thereby tends to retard rotation of the switch member in closingthecircuit, until such time as the switch member has been so rotated that the thrust upon its beveled end by the spring 23 is exerted upon the opposite side of the center of rotation in the direction of arrow D in Figure 3. The

retain the switch member in closed-circuit position; and in addition to this thrust, a further thrust exerted by the contact 20 in the direction of arrow E in Figure 3 to the 18 being permitted,

strap 22, contact 20,

left of the point of rotation of the switch member 17 also tends to retain the switch member in closed-circuit position. These thrusts exerted in the directions of arrows D and E in Fig. 3 are sufficient to overcome any thrust exerted by the resilient contact 19 which may tend to move the switch member out of closed-circuit position.

Referring to Figure 8 wherein a modified form of the invention is shown, the switch member instead of being both pivotally and slidably connected to the support 26 is only pivotally connected to said support. This arrangement necessitates so proportioning the protruding end of the switch member that it is free to clear or pass by the casing 5 when moving the switch member to closed circuit position. In the absence of cooperation between the casing 5 and the operating member, such as exists in the structure shown in the preferred form of the invention to insure against accidental movement of the switch member from open-circuit position, w

the spring 23 is depended upon to exert a sutficient thrust upon the switch member in the direction of arrow C to eliminate, under normal conditions, the possibility of accidental movement of the switch member to closed-circuit osition.

The modi ed form of the invention, shown in Figure '8, further differs from the preferred form, in that the insulating disc 29 and the contact element 30 are eliminated so that the contact 19 engages and cooperates directly with, rather than indirectly light battery. v To close the circuit through the battery B and lamp 12 when the pre the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 is employed, the switch member is first moved against the influence of the spring 23 a sufficient distance to permit the protruding end of the switch member toclear'the casing 5, whereupon the switch member is moved about the bearing 45 as a pivot. As the switch member is pivotally moved, the contact 20 moves into engagement with the central terminal 38 of the lamp 12 and may slightly pass the center thereof, the free end of the contact 20 confined within the notch 7 due to theyielding of the contact 20, to assume the position shown in Figure 3. As soon as the contact 20 engages the central terminal 38 of the lamp 12, a circuit is closed through the carbon electrode 31, contact element 30, contact 19, lamp terminal 38, lamp filament not shown, socket 36, looking elements 40 and 25, casing 5, end cap 34, thrust spring 33 and the zinc electrode 32 of the battery B. When it is desired to open the circuit just described, the switch member is swung about its hearing '45 into alignment with the opening 16, a

ion with,'the carbon electrode 31 of the flash erred form of H sence of cooperation between the terraces whereupon the spring 23, exerting a thrust In closing a circuit through the battery and lamp when the modified form of switch unit shown in Figure 8 is employed, the switch member is simply rotated so as to move the contact 20 into engagement with the central terminal 38 of the lamp whereupon the carbon electrode 31 of the battery is eonnected'with the lamp directly through contact 19, strap 22 and contact 20, the remainder of the circuit being the same as that above described. Upon moving the switch member to closed-circuit position, the spring 23 functions to hold the switch member closed circuit position in the same manner as described in connection with ferred term of my invention, and a l the spring 23, exerting explained upon the switch member in the'direction o' the arrow (3, is depended upon, i he a switch member and easing 5, to normally retain switch member in open-circuit posi ion.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch unit adapted to be used in a flashlight and comprising support, a contact element carried by said support and insulated therefrom and adapted to engage a terminal of the flashlight battery, and a switch member pivotally connected to said support and including a pair of yieldable the contacts one of which engages said contact element and the other of which is adapted to engage a terminal of the flashlight lamp in closin" a circuit through said battery and said amp.

2. A switch unit adapted to be used in a flashlight including a casing having an opening, said unit comprising a support, a switch member movably connected to said support and adapted to project through said opening, said switch member having a -notch formed therein and including a pair of yieldable contacts adapted to be placed in circuit with the lamp and battery, one end of one of said contacts being movably confined within said notch.

3. A flashlight-casing and a switch-unit insertable in said casing through the open end thereof, said switch-unit comprising a support, a switch-lever, and locking means carried by said support and including relatively rotatable locking elements adapted to cooperate with the flashlight-casing to lock said unit in said casing, one of said locking elements being pivotally connected with said support.

4. A flashlight-casing and a sw1tch-un1t insertable through the open end of said casing, said casing having an internal grooye near one end and said switch-unit comprising a support, a switch-lever mounted on said support, and locking means carried by said support comprising relatively rotatable locking elements adapted to cooperate with the groove in said casing to lock said switchunit therein, one of said locking elements having a pivot co-axial with respect to the axis of said casing.

5. A flashlight-casing and a switch-unit as specified in claim 3, in combination with a removable supplemental locking-member having threaded connectionwith said casing and having engagement with said support.

6. A switch-unit adapted to be inserted in a flashlight-casing, said switch-unit comprising a support, a contact-element carried by the lower end of said support and insulated therefrom and adapted to engage the central terminal of the adjacent dry-cell, a lamp-bulb carried by the upper portion of said support, a switch-member interposed between the lamp-bulb and said contact-element and movabiy connected to said support, and a Be 'r of contacts mounted. on said switch-member, one of which contacts is adapted to engage said contact-element the other which is adapted to engage the terminal of the lamp-hull) I 7, A switch-unit for the purpose set forth, comprising a support equipped with means for locking it within a flashlight-casing and equipped, its'upper portion with a lampbulb socket, and a switch-lever pivotally mounted in said support, said switch-lever having handle adapted to project laterally through an opening in the casing and being equipped with a pair of resilient contact members, one of which is adapted to engage the terminal of a lamp-bulb when mounted in said socket and the otherot which is adapted to establish the circuit to the central contact of a dry-cell when located with in the casing of a dry-cell.

8. in combination, a flashligh-casing; a switch-unit within said casing compris ng a support equipped at its upper end witha lamp-bulb socket, means for anchoringsaid support within said casing, a pivoted sw1tchlever equipped with a resilient contact adapted to make contact with the lampbulb and equipped also with a resillent contact through which the circuit to the central contact of the dry-cell may be established, and a supplemental lockin -member threaded within the upper portion of the casing and having a member provided with a central opening through which said socket ex tends.

9. In combination, a flashlight-casing; a switch-unit within said casing compris ng a support equipped at its upper end w1th a lamp-bulb socket, means for anchoringsaid support within said casing, a p voted switchlever equipped with a resilient contact adapted to make contact wlth the lamp-bulb and equipped also with a resilient contact flector above said socket having an opening through which the lamp-bulb may extend freely, and an adjustable ring carrying said reflector and having threaded engagement with the upper portion of said casing.

10. A. flashlight casing and a switch-unit adapted to be used therein, said unit comprising a support having means for controlnevaeee ling a lamp circuit, locking means carried by said support and including relatively ro-i tatable locking elements adapted to cooperate with the flashlight casing to lock said In testimony whereof, I have aihxed my 2 signature to this specification.

' EDMUND R. BABANY. 

